#*' 



o^ ■'.. s' A 



DISCOURSE^ 

DELIVERED 

ON THE FIRST SABBATH AFTER THE COMMENCE-^ 

MENT OF THE YEAR 

1802. 

By JOHN ELLIOTT, a.m. 

CASTOR OF A CHURCH IN GUILFORD, 

PuhliJJied hy requejl. 



Your fathers, where are they ? and the Prophets, do ihev live 

forever ? Profnat Zecharlak^ 

Remember the days of old ; condder the years of many gene- 
rations. Diut. xKxii, 7, 



Middletown : 
PRINTED By T. '^ ]. B. DUNNING, 

March I So?, 



tl 










A DISCOURSE, &c. 



1 Corinthians, vn. 29. 

" Brethren, the time isJJiort.'"- 



REFLECTIONS an the mortality of man and the 
fleeting nature of all worldly good, cannot too of- 
ten, or too ferioudyy employ our minds. Fading are 
the honors, uncertain the enjoyments, and imperfetl 
the blifs, of the preCent (late. SuccefTive fcenes ; the 
beauties of the morning, the fplendors of noonday, and 
the fhades of evening, prelent themfelves to our view. 
The gentle breeze, the howling tempeft, the gliding 
ftream, the boirtrous deep, alternately, refrefH, alarm, 
delight, and overwhelm us. The voice of experience 
loudly gives the folemn warning, " Boafi not thyfelf of 
to morrow : for thou knowell not what a day may bring 
forth." The events of tomorrow are as far beyond 
the fight of mortals, as ihofe of an hundred, or a thou- 
fand years. Another morning's fun rn.^y rife with 
fplendor, and irradiate the eanh with his effulgent 
beams, hut multitudes, who now gaily, or bufily, walk 
the round of life, may not behold (he light. They may 
have finifhed their earthly courfe, and gone to the bar 
of GOD. Viciffstude attends all eanh'.y fcenes, and 
inftabiliiy is engraven upon the highef} monuments of 
human art. The affairs of men rarely proceed in one 
continued courfe. Unforeftcn events crcur, the mofl 
promifing profpeftsare clouded, and the faircft proje61s 
terminaLe in difaopoinimcnt. i he clouds foon gather 



after the clrarcft funfliine, arid the d.irknefs of night f$ 
Succeeded by the moll enchanting day. 

Man himfelf, with all his noble powers and diftin- 
;7uif]iing faculties ; man, the lord of this lower world, 
the glorious refcniblance of his Maker, is deflined, by 
a righteous decree, to fall a vittim to death, and (ink 
jiuo ihe grave. Divine teflimony and human expe- 
rience unite in fupport of thcfe pofitions, that '* one 
generation pafTeth away, and another generation com- 
i.th :" that " man goeth to his long home, and the 
mourners go about the flreets," The millions, who 
n(nv inhabit the earth, are not the fame, who inhabit-^d 
)! an hundred years ago, and fhofe who now dwell on 
ihc earth, will, before another revolution of this period, 
pay the debt of nature, and be feen no more. The 
children of nfien have found, here, no abiding piace. 
Every age renews the teflimony, that mortals have, 
on earth, no continuing city. Kvery hour, and every 
mo;^Tent, witnefleth the departure of fome of our fel- 
low men. Neither the elevation of a throne, nor the 
horrors of a dungeon, will exempt from the blow of the 
;;rcat deflro}er. Innumerable have already gone to^ 
ihc grave, and all, who now live, are following with 
hafly fteps. When a few more funs have revolved, 
vhen a little longer fpace haih puffed, all who now 
move, and aB, will be laid in the lonelv manfion. 

While fhedding the tear of undiilembled forrow 
around the graves of thofe once held dear, how proper 
and how profitable; to bring near in view that iolemn 
liour, when our names will be blotted from the cata- 
logue of the living, and our unimbodicd fpirits appear 
before the divine tribunal ! The apf)(tle fpcaks with 
peculiar cmphafis, in this paffage, '• The lime is fliort." 
Ji will apply to us, and to every fucceeding generation, 
r.ot only with iiigh autluHity? but with that accumula- 
tion of force, that iirciiilab'e conviBion, derived from 
xh.T univerfal experience of pall a^:;c%. 

Let it be OMr bufmefs, at this time, to contemplate 
fevcrai particulars, with reference to which it m.ay be 
iiid, that " the um,e is Ihort." 






T. " Time is fliorl" confidered as an opportunitf 
to do good and be ufeful. Mutual dependance and 
mutual wants, firongly challenge mutual kindnefs and 
l)eneficence. The great Creator liath furniflicd Tome 
with more exalted powers; with talents more fplefidfd, 
than thofe beftowed on others. In higher i'pheres f'ome 
are deftincd to a6t ; in humbler walks, others are to 
fpend their days. Various are the allotments of 
divine providence ; but in every fituation, high and 
important duties are incumbent oti men. — However 
diftinguifliing the talents, or elevated the ftation o'i -^ny 
individuals, the circle of their ufefulnefs, of the goud 
they are enabled to perform, is bounded by narrow 
limits. Their exertions may be gieat and unremitted, 
and fuch they ought to be, but they fpread their influ- 
ence, in moil cales, only to a fmall extent, and will 
foon ceafe. The man of piety ardently defires to im- 
prove all his powers in the fervice of (jOD, and for 
the benefit of i^is fellow-men, not from the principle of 
vain ollentaiion and popular app!aufe, but from the 
rational and holy view, of glorifying the one, and 
promoting the happinefs of the other,— But how 
narrov; is the fpace to which thefe dehres and rhefe 
views are cot)fjned ! How foon do we ice the liigl^efl; 
aftivity ceafe, the mofl noble endeavors end ! Tiie 
moft hopeful meafures come to naught! In the mid(t 
of the mod humane and benevolent defigns : while tlie 
Tno{t exalted and philanthropic p'ans are ripening into 
execution ; plans, which promife greaily to aUr viate 
human mifery, and extend their beneficial influence 
over the community ; do we behold the charitable, the 
lighteous, the friends of afflfled humanity, cut off I 
Church and fociety are called, at times, to bemoan the 
untimely exit of their firmefl fupporters, and greatefl; 
'benefa8ors. From the hijjlveft fphere of ufefulnefs 
are mortals called awav- Their liopes of doing good 
are fruflrated, through toiiure or liiccefs in the means 
applied, or by iheir fummons from time. 

Admitting, all chat can be fuppofed, that a man 
enjoys length of day», is blelTcd Wilh healih, crowned 



with alTlaence, and elevated to high honors ; fuppofe 
thai he employs all his lime, and diretls all his aims, to 
the divine objed of doing good : how fhort is the fpace 
allotted ! how many improvements docs he fee, at the 
ctofe of life, (till to be made ! How many beneficial 
defigns are beyond his power of execution ! How ma- 
ny objeBs of public good, are beyond his attainment ! 
How few were the years erjoved by a Washington, 
to adorn civil fociety, fliine in public life, and enhance 
the honor, and the happinel's of his country, and of 

man. Let this conHderation, fo far from difcourag- 

ing any in their lauddble defires and endeavors to do 
good in the world, animate them to the immediate and 
diligent purfiiit of this great objeft. I'hcy will not be 
accountable for thofe talents, which they do not pof- 
fefs, and for that opportunity, which they do not enjoy. 
As thefe talents will foon be taken from them, and this 
opportunity foon ceafe, the ditUte of wifdom is, that 
they diligently and faithfully, apply themfelves to ac- 
compiiHi ihe great work, in which they are engaged: 
remembering, that their days are few, and the period, 
allotted them, fhort. 

II. " i'lME is fliort" viewed as a fta'e of probation.. 
Thofe who have enjoyed no more than the glim- 
merings of the light of nature have fuggefted the idea, 
and DIVINE RKV ELATION hath fully eflablifhed it, 
that man is immortal ; that, as his origin is high, fo al- 
fo his dellination. By the glorious gofpel life an» 
IMMORTALITY are brought clearly to light. The 
n)o(l difccrniiig of the heathen world rather hoped, 
than believed, in a future Itate. Their hopes are re- 
alized, and their reafonings are now fuperceded, by the 
cle..r fplcndors of heavenly light. They beheld fcarce- 
!y the dawnings of a day, of which we behold the me- 
ridian glory. The faCl is now fully afcertained, the' 
point placed bevond all doabt. The material part 
alone moulders in the duff, while the fpiritual enters 
into an invifible Hate. From the fame infinitely high 
authoritv, 've alio learn, that an inleparable connexion 
ii-cliabiinKAij between the moral conduct of men, in 



tills world, and their everlafling condition, in iha 
world to come. 

There are two regions of fpirits beyond the grave j 
one of the holy, and one of the unholv ; one happy, 
and the other miferable. The obedient are, afier 
death, received to pure manhons of uninterrupied 
blifs ; the difobedient are doomed to the doleful abodes 
of howling defpair. Heaven will be the blefl refidence 
of (he redeemed, " and there, will they rejoice to dwe!l 
forever. That world will never want for fongs, nor 
GOD for praife. There, fiiall daily arrive from thefe 
lower courts, after a triumphant flight from fenfe and 
pain, the fpirits of the juft. There fliall cherubs ever 
fmile, and fcraphs ever burn before the throne of 
GOD." — For the enemies of GOD is refcrved the 
blacknefs of daiknefs forever. They will be fentcnced 
to the bottomlefs pit, the fmoke of which will never 
Geafe to afcend. There will be woes exquifiie and 
without end. There will they be companions,, through 
endlefs ages, with the devil and his angels. 

All mankind mufl give an account, at the bar of 
the inEnitely wife, holy and righteous Judge, of their 
conduct in the prefent life. " For GOD /hall bring every 
work into judgment^ with every f:cret things -aiJiether it be 
good, or whether it be evil.''* Conformed to his law and 
will, it will be approved, and highly rewarded : op- 
pofed to his law and will, it will be condemned, and 
awfully punilhed. An eternal feparation will be made 
between the righteous and the wicked ; a reparation 
founded upon their different charaQcrs. The former 
*' fhall enter into life eternal," but the latter " fhall 
go away intoeverlafting punifliment." 

The part which man is here to aft, affumes a vafl 
importance, from its connexion with another world, 
and another ftate of being. Infinite and eternal con- 
fequences are to be the refult. They do not regard 
the empty pageantry of worldly grandeur, the fafcinat- 
ing found of empty titles, or immenfe treafures of 
golden ore. Compared to thefe confequcjices, '* how 

f £cdf xiit 14. 



8 

little is this world ! Its pomps, its pieafures, nonfenfe 
all ! The ciowns of nionarchs, and tlu* wealth of worlds. 
how trifling in this view !' The iriterefts to be fecur- 
td, bv the ooedicnce of the jult, are inconceivably 
valuable, they are immortal. They refer to the 
iiappinefs of the foul, through the countiefs ages of 
eternity ; to joys which will experience no interruption, 
no alioy, and what renders them unfpcakably more 
important, will have no end. Saith the Redeemer, 
" What /hall li profit a man. if he JJiall gain the whole 
tuorli, and Icfe his own foul."* 

I N proportion as the obje£l before us, in a probation- 
ary ftate, is great and glorious, that itate mull, in itjeif^ 
appear cloathed with folemnity and importance. A 
moft arduous work demaiids high exertions and a great 
length of lime. As the failure of fuccels, or rather the 
negle6l of the precious op{)ortunity, in this cafe, will 
produce an infinite lofs, that period, in which the blcf- 
iings are to be fecured, is invaluable, — Can it then be 
fuppofed, that human life is longer than is neceflary, to 
lay up treafure in heaven ; to fecure the favor of the 
Lord and art interefl in the once bleeding Lamb ; to 
difcharge thofe various duties, which pertain to a life 
of godlinefs, on earth, and are preparatory to a flate of 
glory, in the kingdom of heaven ? Does not the good 
man often Wifh that it were longer, that he might more 
fervently love, and more faithfully ferve, and obey, his 
heavenly Father ? 

Human wifdom ufually allots to every branch of 
bufinefs, a length of time, propordoned to the difnculty 
of its performance, and the necefTity of its completion. 
Calculating upon this principle, with reference to our 
prefent fubjefi, who will helitate to declare, that none 
is to be loit, none mifimproved ? -Is any one about to 
lake a journey into a very diftant part of the country, 
or to fail on a voyage to a remote region of the earth ; 
\vhat preparations does he make f what time does he 
confume ! what care and alTiduity does he manifeft; 
that every thing may be in order^ for health, for bufi- 

* A'lark viii. .56. 



9 

nefs, for comfort, for pleafure? And if men thus la- . 
bor, to prepare for a journey on earth, fhall they not 
more abundantly labor to prep.irc for that world, into 
which, after death, we are to pafs ? Is it lefs important 
to be prepared to enter into ihe invilible ftaie, than to 
vifit didant countries or climates ? Is temporary good 
preferable to that which is eternal; that which en- 
dures for a few raontlis or years, to that whfch endures 
forever ? 

Theallwife Creator hath placed us in the world, af- 
fi^Tned us our lot and courfe, opened to view an un- 
changing and eternal Hate, pointed out the method to 
obtain infinite treal'ure, and declared that '• 7io-a> is ths 
accepted twie and ihe day of jalvation." Our everialt- 
ing All depends on its right and diligent improvement. 
Were man, like t'ne brwies, to perilh, and return to 
his original nothing; were there to be no judgment- 
day, no {late of retribution, no exidence beyond the 
grave ; wfcre no everlaUing conicquences lo reiult ; 
the motives which are now urged to virtue and obe- 
dience, would iofe more than half their force. Thcie 
are drawn, though not entirely, yet principally, from 
that high view, that dWlant profpe6l, afforded by the 
word ot GOD. — A great work is to be done, in the 
prcfent woild ; to prepare for that which is to fucceed. 
Every day brings u.s nearer to the period, wiien we 
muft ceafe from this work, whether hnifhed, or not. 
Mortal life doth not [o loon conclude, as to forbid the 
hope of obtaining the great objett, and thus to 'efiett 
upon the goodneis of the Sovereign of t'ne univerfe; 
but in a rational view of it, compared with the defignt- 
of heaven in its bellowmcnt, as a period of prepara- 
tion for a more glorious and eudlai's (late, " the time" 
may juPtly be cubed " fliort."' 



Ill, Confider "time" as the fpace allotted to hu- 
man life, and it v.iil appear '* Ihort." The fcenes of 
the prefent ftate are various and lluftuating. The ac- 
tors on the gveat theatre are coniinuaily changing.--- 
One performs the p^rt ailigned. ar.d retires. Anoihcr 



B 



10 



ftjcceeds, continues for a fhort fpacc, and is quickly 
gone, Tiie aniazir.g concourfe who furround us on c- 
Tcry fide, and people, and fill the earth, are liaftening to 
the congregation of the dead. We ourlelvcs are not 

to be excepted. '■• h there not an appointed time to man 
upon earth ? arc not his dayi aljj, likt the days oj an hire- 

View an individual in his earthly career, and how 
foon doth the end arrive f He rifes from the cradle, he 
pafies through the fcenes and period of youth, he af- 
ftjnies the bufinels, and performs the functions and du-» 
ties of man : and the hoary head, the harbinger of dif- 
Iblution, loon is fcen. He bov»s under the infirmities 
of aiTc, and finks into the grave. Even what he term- 
ed length of days is but a narrow fpace. I'he aged, in 
the review of life, acknow'edge that it is vanity. ---Bc- 
frde this, by far the greatell proportion of the human 
race are fusnmoned from time, in infancy and youth. 
The grave never faith, ''I have enough," but opens 
its jaws, to devour, the young, the blooming, the vi- 
gorous, the ufeful.the pious and the honorable. 

The flight of an eagle in the fls.ies, darling upon its 
prey; the velocity of a fiiip, fiiimming the furface of 
the ocean; the fpeed of a poll: or meffenger, fent on 
matters of urgent neceffity, and public concern ; a 
flower, the beauty of which fades in a inoment, a fhut- 
t!e, which quickly flies through the loom, are fame of 
the lively images, by which the fleeting nature of the 
life of man is dclcribed, Saith Job, in the view of 
our tranfirory (iate, " Man that is born of a xooman is of 
few days and full of trouble. He covieth forth hke a flower ^ 
and is cut down : he fUeih alfo^ as a jhadow^ and conti- 
wwc^A 72o;,'"t— Saith the pious Pfalmirt, ''^ Lord make me 
to know viine cnd^ and the intafare of my days, what it is : 
that I may know how frail I am. Behold thou hafl made 
my days as an hand breadth : and mine age is a;, nothing 
before thee : verily every man, at his hflflate, is altoge- 
ther vanity.'"'^ -Saith the word of unerring truth, " All 
flefli is grafi, and all the goodlinefs of man as the fower 

* Jab vii. I. i Job xiv. i, 2. X Pfalnis xxxix, 4, 5, 



li 



^^ 



of graf, : The grc.f\ xvithereth, an^'^ thr fiozvir there ■[ fall- 
eth awciy.'^*- -^^ Stircly the people. i> g}-aji.''i' 

With fuch decfarafions accords the experience of 
men in every age. When Pharaoh enquired of Jacob 
his age, Jacob replied, " The days of the yean of 7ny pil- 
grimage, are an hiindjed and thAvty yean : fcxo and evil 
have the days of the year ^ oj my life /Yd-^r/'J- -llius man- 
kind fpend their ycarj-, as a tale that is told, and (inifli 
their earthly courfe. Their houresare hoiifes of clay, 
and their foundation is in the du(L The fliadov.s flee 
awav, and they die, and return to the earth. 

IV. Consider *' ti!ne"as it regards worldly enjoy- 
nienis and connections, and the fame ^aQi will be e'lab- 
liflied." Tlie experience of every aue ha h fneuMi, that 
all dependence upon the things of time is hnilt on 
fand,and may foon be undermined. No fooner is the 
mighty f<ihric of human expeBation raifcd, than the 
Gon;er Hone mav be removed, and the edirice fall in 
ruins. ---Afiiaence ex.iUs above many of the evils of 
life, liut ioon riches take to thevnfcives wings, and 
iniitate the flight of the eagle ; and are forever gone. 
Honors crown the man of ambition, and he rifes to Na- 
tions of eminence, but while he fondly mufes on the 
beautv of the flovv'cr, it fades and dies. To the fuin- 
mir of fame the child of popularity is exalted, but the 
fickle breath of the p;opulace is foon turned to an op- 
pofne direction, veering like the changing wind, and 
he loofes, in an hour, what he gained in )eais. The 
afpiring dcfpot through carnage and havoc of the hu- 
man fpecies, mounts the throne,, and grafps the iceptre, 
but foon the jtjfi rage of fuiiering humanity breaks 
the (liackles, and hurls the tyrant from his lofty feat. 
Health, now, blooms on the cour.tenance, and indi- 
cates a firm conftitution ; but foon, very foon, pining 
ficknefs may fpreadoverit a deathlike palenef<. The 
worm may g'law at the root, and the ftalk lie moulder- 
ing on the grouiid. 

All thefe, however, except the laft, little concern 
the bulk of mankind, and were ncj other evils felt in the 

* I Peter i. 24. + if<iiah xl, 7. % Gerv. xlvii. 9. 



12 



world, its inhabitantjt would ftiU be an happy race— 
The number who aim ai (lifHnflioM is rrnall, and fewer 
ilill, the numbers by whom it is obtained. It is far 
more eafy to fall, tl'.an to rife ; to lole, than to gain ; 
to link into oblivion, than to rife into powcr.---But the 
uncertainty of world!;- connexions is a point deeply 
interefting to the feelings of all who dwell on the fhores 
of time. The pangs oicafioncd by the diffuluiicn of 
thefe connexions reach the n.onarch on the throne, and 
the peafant in his cottage, and all, in every interme- 
diate Nation.— By a thoulaiid ties are we linked toge- 
ther in life ; ties, natural, fociai, and moral. Thefe 
ties, in many inilances, are no looner formed, than 
broken ; or, if long continued, will, at lall, bediffolv- 
ed. Every link, by which we are chained to one ano- 
ther, and to the world ; every cord mull be loofed. In 
the awful defoiafion of the human race, who are the 
viftims? Whole remains, cold arid lifelefs, do we, 
from time to time, fee depofiied in the grave ? Are 
they thofe of foreigners, born in a diflant climate, and 
towliom we bear no fpecial afletlion .►* Are they, to 
lis, ftrangers and unknown ? Arc they not rather our 
countrymen? Arc they not our fellow citizens .-^ Are 
they not our neighbors? Are they not our friends ? 
Are they not our kindred ? Are they not ihofc, who 
are dear to us, as our right hands and right eyes, ? Are ^ 
they not our fathers, our wives, our children, our breth- 
ren ? The voice of experience (aiih, ihey are. How 
keen the anguifh, which, in thefe cafes, pierces the 
bleedin*^ heart ! The " harp 2> hinted into mourning, and 
the crgaji into the voice, of thtm that w(cp.''* Whofe 
heart lias not bled ? wiiole eyes have not flowed with 
tears? Vifit the chambers (jf the dying! behold the 
paOing funeral ! fee the fond parent bending over the 
remains of a beloved child \ iee the kind hufband fol- 
lowing to the grave, the mc^rtai part of lier, whom he 
moft tenderly h)ved ! or, ihe alfeBionatc wife, taking 
the laft farewell of iier beloved hufband ! hear the 
Ijiricks and piteous moans of the weeping children, 

* Job XXX. 31. 



2.3 Cy 

when the mother, to whom they were chained hv a 
ihoufand endearments, is configned to the grave! — 
But why attempt to defcribe fceiies which are beyond 
the power of defcription ? fcenes, not the lefs diUrcf- 
fing, becaufe familiar ! Hear the plaintive languap^e 
of the devout IMaimill, \\\ the day of divine vihiation ; 
" Lover and friend, haf, tliouf tit far from me, and mine 
acquaintance into darknefs."* Bitter are the lamenta- 
tions of afflicted Job, '" Have pity vpnn me, Jiave pity 
upon me, ye my friends ; for the hand of GOD haih 
touched me.""^ Under f(ue bereavements, mourners arc 
conftrained to adopt this language, from generation to 
generation. How fuddenly, how unexpe61edly, do 
ihefe events occur ! Who carmot recount indances of 
the tendereft friendfhips foon broken ? Who can with 
certainty prediB, that this will not be the cafe, with 
thoi'e that now exilt.— - — — Let us even fuppofe the 
longefl poffible continuance to thcfe endearing con- 
nexions, yet the period of their duration is foon pafTed 
away. A lapfe of ycrirs will foon bring to old aoe, and 
this will open the door of the invifiblc world. Thus, 
in this point of view, it appears that " the time is fhcrt." 

V. " Ti ME is fliort" compared with eternity. — 
Confider "time" as the whole duration of the world, 
from the creation to the final confummation of all 
thing?-, and it appears, comparativeh , but a moment. 
Mighty proje8s have, from age to age, engaged the at- 
tention, and called into exertion, all the energies of 
the ambitious and aipiring. Extenfive monaichies 
have been eltablifhed ; long fuccefiiors of kings, in 
vajious quarters of the globe, have adorned or dif- 
graced the throne. Kmpires have rifen, and have 
fallen. Revolution rath iticceeded revolution, in a1- 
moft every ftate and kingdom. Sp'endid cities have 
jiiifed their tall fpires, I'hone in opulence and fplendor 
for a Jeafon ; and their lofiy domes, their fuperb fu- 
perfirwnures, have fallen into ruins. Proud heroes have 
f'.mght, and bled, and conquered, and died. Fertile 
trat.i i have become barren, populous countries depo- 

* P:'.ilrr!$ l:vxxviii. 18. -\ job xix. 2i» 



14 

pulated, new regions difcovered ; Tea?, before un- 
known, explored ; powerful nations have loft ihcir 
ftrenglh, and thofe, which were weak, have become 
great. Vaft improvements have been made, in arts 
and fciences, in hufbandr), commerce, and navigation. 
Society hath afiumed a new and more j^lealing form; 
hath gradually emerged from a barbarous, to a polifh- 
ed ; from an untutored, to a refined ; from an igno- 
rant, to an enlightened ftate, Nunierous and impor- 
tant events are now in train of execution, and unknown 
changes, unforcfeen events, and uncxpcfted revoUi- 
tions will Ril!, probably, lake place, before the end of 
ihc world. 

But the time in which all thefe fcenes have paffed, 
thefe events happened, thefe changes taken place, ihelo 
improvements made, will bear no comparifon with a 
period of endlefs duration. " A ihoufand years are*^ 
with GOD, who is eternal, " as one day, and one day 
as a thoufand years." What are a few thoufand years 
compared with millions, with unnumbered ages ? Time 
bears no more comparifon to eternity, than a finglc 
fand to the grains on the fea fliore ; than that which 
may be numbered, to that which is numberlefs ; that 
which may be meafured, to that which is immcafurable; 
that which is finite, to that v;hich is infinite. To a be- 
ing who could furvey the whole fyflem of earthly 
events, from the foundation to the diil^luiion of the 
world, and bring them into comparifon with the endlefs 
ages of eternity, they would appear but as a drop to 
the ocean, a ray to the glorious orb of light, a moment 
in the exiftence of the univerfe. Human conception 
is fwallowed up and loft in the fathomlefs abyfs ! 

Thus, from various confiderations, does it appear 
that " lime is flion." 

REFLECTIONS. 

I. Our attachment to the richeft outward comforts 
(liould be regulated by the view, which religion ad'ords. 

Rfligion teaches us to confult our whole nature, 
and the different iiates of our exiftence. While it 



i'. 



cautions us agalnf! placing the afTcftions too ftrongfy 
upon worldly ob]c6Ls and concer!^^, it draws alide the 
veil, and gives us clearly to difccrn, objeth and pof- 
ieifDns, higher and more durable. While it weans 
from the vanities and attachmenrs oFtime, it places be- 
fore us the biifs and glory of the upper world; while 
it calls off from that which fades away, it points to 
that which is unfading and c'.ernal. " Sei your affec- 
tum on thin^js abovr^ not on i/iiriga on the earth,''* is the 
ditlate of infpited wifdom. The value of obje6U 
flioiild be eltimated, not by the motives which govern 
thofe who are wife r:)r this world, but by the direftions 
of the divine word. Earthly poffcffions are enjoyed 
but for a fealbn, but everlalling riches are treafurcd 
up in the heavenly kingdom. The foul is of more va- 
lue than the body; riches which endure forever, than 
ihofe, which foon fly away. The future, then, juftly 
claims our attention more highly than the prefent. 
While engaged in the latter, tiie eye fhould be con- 
flantly fixed on the former. To negicft the mod im- 
portant intereft is the mark of the moft ex'reme folly. 
To place our highell happincfs in the polfefTion of thofe 
things, of which every day may deprive us, is to lean 
on a broken reed, or build on a fandy foundation. 
ConneBed as we are with both worlds, our love and at- 
tachment to each fhould be regulated by the pure and 
exalted motives of the gofpel. The tranfitory fcenes 
of time cannot fo deeply intereft the feelings of a ra- 
tional being, while in reality, undei the influence of 
rcafon, as the ceafelefs joys of eternity. Hear the in- 
ference of the Apoflle from the conlideration of the 
fhortnefs of life ; in the verfes fucceeding our text ; 
*• It remaineih, that both they that weep, be as though they 
zucpt not ; and they that rejoice^ as thou,(^h they rejoiced- 
71.4; and they that buy, as though they p'^f/^fed not; and 
they that ufe this world, astiot abi'Jing it ; for th" fajhion of 
this xvorld pojftth azuay"f Let your affedion to- 
ward all thefe things be moderafe. Confider the fitu- 
aiion in which you will foon (land with refped to them ^ 
* Cul. iii, 3, t t Cor, vii. 30* 311 



i6 

for changes mav take place, vvliich will elTcntiaily afTccl 
your connexion vith iheni. Be not too highly elattd' 
viih tKeir pofrtfTion, or loo deeply jtfllitlcd with their 
removal. Meithei love inordinately any ohjcd enjo\ cd, 
nor mourn immoderately for any blelling, of which you 
are deprived. The fame hand ol li^ave" which i^ivo-, 
may alfo take awa)'. Outward bitfnngs are bedowed 
by the Divine Benefactor, th;U you fhould improve 
tliem to his glory, and the good of your fouls. If you 
contravene this defign, you bring down upon your 
guilty heads fwift deftruftion. 

The confideration of the fhortnefs of time, and the 
uncertainty of human life, fhould inlpire us with mo- 
deration toward the hightf^ earthly good. We (iiou'd 
carry ourlelves forward, in imagirjation, to the eternal 
vjorld, and contemplate the incfraole fee nes, of which 
Revelation haih given us affurance. While tiie falhion 
of this world chan<;eth, we fiiouid lift our eyes to that 
GOD, who dwelieth in heaven, and livcth forever. 
While wc are forbidden to love this world, we fiiould 
fupT"-vneiy love hun, who is GOD over all, forever 
blrfTed. 

II. Tke profpefts of immortality are high, and 
glorious. Since tlie ol'je61s with which we are fur- 
rounded, are far inferior to the nature, or drfires of 
fuch beings, as we are ; how happy, how ravifhing the 
thought, that a fiaie, every way adequate to tiiis naiure 
and thefe'dcfircs, is clearly revealed ! 'i'he gofpel gives 
nobie and exalted views, opens a profpect without 
bounds, a profpefct which flretches forward through 
endlefs duration. Infpired with the animating idea, 
that he is to live forever, man looks upwards with high 
exultation, and upon terreltrial things, with fovereign 
contempt. Thefe are to endure but for a little while^ 
and even while they endure, afford but imp. rfeft feli- 
city ; but in the world to come, are objects permanent, 
friendfhips unbroken, and fcenes of the higheft and 
everlailing delights. The jull now live by faith. The 
difcipes of Cbrift now live in hope. The obje61s of 
ihis fai;h and iiope will ail be realized. They '• n^-at 



^4 

IL / 

Aefcre. a heiUr cb'uniry, ihat is, ah heavenly ; nhtrefore 
'GOD is not 'aflravi'ed to bt culled their GOD : for he hath 
prepared for them a ci/y."* Into this glorious city they 
will finally enter. Tiranflatcd from a world of toil, of 
forfow, and of fin, to regions of tranquility, ofjoy,ahd 
of purity, ih€ friends of GOD will reach the coufuinma- 
lion of ail their wiiliesjand drink from beatific 'ftrezlins, 
which will forever (low. 

The idea of annihilation, of ceaHrtg to ex\% is one 
of the mod gloomy and diftreffing which can alXiidthe 
mind. From this awful and horrid apprehenfion, the 
gofpel hath mercifully delivered us. The deliverance 
is great, and juftly challenges high expreflions of gra- 
titude and praife. — What is man ? 1^ he a child of 
yefterday ? Is he a worin of the dud ? He is more. 
He hath an inimortal fpirit. '* The dull," of whicli he 
is colli pofed, ^'Jhall return to the earth, as it zcas ; biU the 
fpirit jhall return unto GOD who gave 2i."t His fpirit 
is immortal. He will live, v/hen the earth, with all 
that is therein, fhall be burnt up, and the fun in the 
firmament (hall fet, to rife no more. How implacable 
an enemy to man is he, who attempts to deftroy the 
hope and expe6lation of a future ftate ! He would de- 
prive man of his higheft dignity, his moft exalted glo- 
ry, his moft fubftaniial fupports ; would bieak down 
the very pillar on which rcRs the fuperdruftuie 
of his richeil confolation ; would fpread a dark and im- 
penetrable cloud over his brightell profpe8;s ; would 
fink, him to a level with the brute creation,, and de- 
ftfoy one half his earthly blifs, by aiming a deadly biow 
at that which is heavenly. To adopt the language of 
a late writer, " Shall liimfy argument, fhall fubiii fu- 
phiftry, and nicewrought fcepticifm, unfoul the nian, 
and reduce to a level with the lower creation, the 
image of GOD ? Shall not the foul of the mother meet 
the foul of the child in the world of glory j" if wafhed in 
the blood of Chrid, andfan6li!ied by the Spirit of GOD ? 
" Shall not the fon, who in his youth, was funk into a 
watery grave, fee his father again .? Yes ! the graves 
* Heb, xi, J 6, i Ecclcs. xii. -7. 



»8 

fliall give up their dead, and friends, who parted with 
aching hearts, fhall," if duly prepared, "meet in a 
world, where tears fhall be wiped from every eye." 

" Let others boaft that they are brutes, I glory that 
I'm a man. Let others wi(h for eternal fleep, I fiiali 
be forever awake. Let others fpend their golden 
hours in proving that GOD is faMb, 1 feel fome- 
thing within which proves that his word is true. Tho' 
others confign loul and body to the duft, the clods of 
the valley cannot cover my foul. No ! Legions of 
angels can't confine me to the grave. My body was^ 
defigned for the dul\, but my foul fhall inherit the 
world of fouls. Alas ! what is life, if we live not 
forever !" 

True believers may look forward with affurance to 
the moft delightful and enrapturing fcenes. — The un- 
failing promife of the Mofl High hath fecured to them 
an undefiled, and incorruptible inheritance. How 
high are the honors, how rich and undeferved the re- 
wards of fpirituai conquerors ! " To hnn that ovcrcom- 
tih will I grant to fit with me in my thmm^y even as I alfo 
overcame, and am fct down with viy Father m his throne,''* 
Many have already attained, and are now in the hlifs- 
ful enjoyment of the glorious prize. Through floods 
of tears have they waded, pangs of deep diftrefs have 
they endured, the buffetings of Satan have they under- 
gone ; the raging billows have rolled on the tempef- 
tuous ocean of human life ; the winds have howled, 
and the confiifting elements have fiercely contended; 
but they have been fhielded by the wings of the Al- 
mighty, been protected by Divine care ; — the deluge 
hath fWept, but they have been fafe ; the inundation, 
hath deflroyed, but their mountain hath flood flrong : - 
and now have they reached that world, where furrow 
is an eternal ftranger ; where difgrace never covers 
the head; and where crowns are not the obje£l of en- 
vy, of ftrife, and of every evil work. — We are encou- 
raged by a " great cloud of witneffes." Could the veil 
which obfcures heaven from our fight be drawn afidcj 

* Rev. iii. 21, 



\v'c fliould behold a glorious and happy throng of our 
once fellow-mortals furrounding the throne of the AK 
inighty, and pouring forth loud ho(annas to his hoi)' 
name.— -There— fhould we behold the long lift of Pa- 
triarchs, Prophets. Apoftles, and faithfal Believers--^ 
fhould bthold Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob-Ifaiah, Je- 
remiah--ihe learned St, Paul, and the eloquent Apol- 
los, together with an *' innumerable company" who 
perfevered unto the end--- whole robes are wafhed in 
the blood of the Lamb, and who arii now admitted into 
the celeRial kingdom. In the world of everlafting 
blifs will all the redeemed unite with the angelic choir, 
and tune their golden harps to that triumphant long ; 
«* The. Jong of Mofes, thefcrvani of GOD ^ and, the Jong 
of the Lamb ; faying, Great and marvellous are thy works 
Lord GOD Almighty ; juji and true are thy ways, thou 
King of faints.'"*' 

III. Contemplate the conftant fuccefTion of 
men on the theatre of the world. Generation paffeth 
away after generation. The page of hiftory exhibits 
to our view kingdom, after kingdom, and people, after 
people. Where are our fathers, who firft fettled this 
country, this town, or this fociety ? Where are the ven- 
erable men of GOD, who preceded me, in the work of 
the miniftry, in this place ? And where are the people, 
who hearkened to their voice, and liftened to their 
words ?--They have gone to the land of filence, and 
reft in their graves. How vaft the congregation 
of the dead ?--There lie the minifters, and there lie the 
people ; and there muft the prelent fpeaker, and the 
prefent hearers alfo, fhortly lie. 

These reflexions have paved the way for the ufual 
information at the commencement of the vear, which 
fhali be preceded by a brief fketch of the hiftory of 
this Society. 

AMERICA was difcovered by Columbus in the 
year 1492. The firft fettlement in New- England, by 
our anceftors, was at Plymouth, in the ftate of Maflli- 
chufctts in 1620. A permanent fettlement, in Ccn- 

* Rev. XV. 3, 



so 

aeclicut, was made at Weathersfield in 1634. The firf?; 
emigration to New-Haven arrived in April 1658. The 
colonies of Connefticiu s^nd New-Haven were united 
in 166^. The town of Gullford* was fettled the 
next year after New-Haven. The inhabitants who firfl; 
purchafed, and fettled this town, were among the ad- 
venturers who arrived at New-Haven with Gov. Eaton, 
They came from a town of the fame name, in England. 
The traft which lies weft of Eaft- River, was purchafed 
of a fachem fquaw, who, with iheothernatives, were to 
remove from it. '^J'he tra8: eaftward of that, to Tuxis- 
pond, of Uncaj», a Moheagan fachem. It appears that 
the land from this pond to Hammonafiet-river, which ii 
the eaflern boundary of the town, was a prefent from 
Mr. G. Fenwiclc of Saybrook, upon condition, that 
the town fiiould accommodate Mr. Whitfield, the fird 
minifter, who had expended a large property in the 
fervice of the plantation, with land, according to his 
choice and to his fatisfa6ion.t Immediately after the 
purchafe, in the fall of 1639, planters took poffeffion. 
The conveyance was made to fix perfons,+ as tru flees 
until 3 future arrangement. Parts of thcfe fame trafts 
were alfo purchafed of other claimants.. Our ancef- 
tors fied from the iron rod of opprcffion, to enjoy, in 
the wildernefs, liberty and rights of confcience. In 
1643 a church was regularly gathered under the paOo- 
ral care of the Rev. Henvy Whitfield, who came into 
this country, with part of his former congregaiion j — 
ilc was not ordained here, as he had been confecrated 
by a Bifliop, in England. This was the cafe with al- 
molt all thefirft minillersin our churches.--- After the 
gathering of the church, thofe who hcM the property 

* Called by t]\t natives M^'ifjicituck. 

■^ A ftreng, Hone hcule built by Mr. Whitfield \» ftill flar.ding, and 
a comfortable dwelling. 

i I'icury Whitfield. Robert Kitchel, William I.cct, Vv'illiam Ghif- 
jenden, John Bifhop, John Caffinge, 

<; The manner o} gathering ihe church was nrt£>ulaT. Seven princi- 
pal perfons were choifn, cali&d thc/>- fc/.'/Zar/, and to thsfe the oihes 
jjKinbcrs were ^^athered. 



2i 



^^. 



of the plantation in trufl, refigned to the chiirc|\ their 
righr, and the four perfons, who had been previonfty 
invefted with civil power, for the adminiftratiort of juf- 
tice and prefervation of the peace, declared tkat their 
truftand power, had, by the forming of the church, ter- 
minated. It was then exprefsly agreed, that the body of 
freenften fhould confilt of church-members qnly, and 
that they fliould be the fole eleftors of raagiftraies, de- 
puties, and all other officers of importance. 

The form of civil polity eftablifliedy was as follow^. 
A fixed General Court v/as to be holden yearly, for 
the elc6lion of town officers. At this time, deputies 
for the Particular Courts, who were to be ehurch- 
m^mbers, were chofen. Thefe Particular Courts were 
compofed of a magiftrate,* and deputies chofen for 
this purpofe. They held quarrerly feffions, and had cog- 
nizance of all civil cafes. Their power extended, alfo, 
to the probate of wills, and dividing inheritances. — 
Other General Courts were holden, at different times, 
compofed of the great body of freemen, and planters^ 
which managed all the affairs of the town, relative to 
the divifion of lands, fence?:, and all bylaws for the well- 
ordering of the plantation. f 

The lands, which had been purchafed, were divided 
in the manner fpecified in the original agreement, ac- 
cording to the fum put into common liock, and the 
j number of perfons in a family. Thefe divifions were, 
however, fubjeft to two reltriftions; the one, that np 
planter, without fpecial liberty, fiiould put in more 
than /'.500 ; the other, that no divifion of land ffiould, 
in any way, be alienated, without the confent of the 

* Samuel DefLoroagh is tl;ic £ix& magiftrs)te on re^'or^. He returi;* 
cd to England. 

+ By the regulations, it appears that planters, who did not atten4 
public meetings, or who came late, were (ubjed to be fined, a church- 
member more, a planter lefs. The rr-anncr of chufing deputies was bf 
marking on the boolc of records, againft the name of fojne perfon. — 
Medicines, the firft half century or more, after the fettlement of the 
town, were purchafed and ufcd ascommoa itock. In 1646 the plant- 
ers were notified, as a matter of courfe, to bring in their CcUeff corv, 
hy a given time, Thjy contiibuti^n was c»B.tin«j^d, Uo.Bi Jiear ^o.jcai. 



22 



community. PunilTimentswcre, at different times, in- 
fiitled, for the violation ofthe laft of thefe rellridions.* 
The firft fettlcrs kept conflant watch, through fear 
ofthe natives. + The place of worfliip was guarded 
on the fabbath. Many ofthe houfes were fecured by 
palifadocf. 

A nieeting-houfe was ereQed in the early periods of 
the plantation. In 1645 it was ordered, that no more 
trees be cut down upon the green before the meeting- 
houfe, and in Oci. 1651, the General Court appointed 
the meeting houfe to be thatched and clayed+; before 
\^inter. In 1668 a gallery was built, and the houfa 
repaired. In 1672 a porch was, alfo, built. Thi^, 
probably, ftood, until a new one, upon a large con- 
ftru61ion, was erefted in 1712, and finifhed in 1713.5 
In 1676 it was agreed by the town to fortify two hoii- 
fesjij and to bear in common all damages done bv the 
enemy. ---Several polical chara6lers of eminence have 
refided in this town.f 

The lirfl inhabitants of this fociety** attended pub- 

• In cafes tried before the Particular Courts, It was cuftomary t© 
write^ at fuU lenj^ih, the teftimony of each witnefs. 

+ The original number of planters cannot be accurately known. 
Book A of our records goes back only to 1645. '^^^ original deeds, 
aereementj ic are however tranfcribed into book B. Book C. is loft ; 
leport fays, it was burnt. In 0(ftober 1 64.6, upon a further divifion 
of land, the number was 47. In i6jo there were 49. In 1665, from 
a military order, it rip^)ears, that the number of men capable of bearing 
arms was 68 In 1672 one hundred and one perfor-.s gave in lifts. The 
town mil* was purchafed by the town, in 1646, for / .75. Deputies 
were, this year, chofen by 1 3 votes. A bridge was built over Eaft ri- 

Ter in 1 649. 

■*■ \t appears probable, that this was the fecond time of thatching. 

1$ R.ev. Henry Whitfield — removed 1650. Rev. John Higginlon 

became fole teacher, Odober 1650— ordained Sept. 16^3 — removed 

iSzq. Mr. John Bowers preached fome years, but was not ordain- 

g(j^ Rev. Jofeph Elliott was ordained Jan. 1664 — died May 24, 

j5q4 .Rev. Thomas Ruggles was ordained 1695— died June i-jz\i. 

{[ Mr. Elliott's was one. 

^ VViUiam Leet, Gov. of New-Haven i66i,and of Connecticut in 
i6'6. Andrew Leet, Jofiah Roffeter, Abraham Fowler, Affillants. — 
C'w. Leet was buried at Hartford, without any monument. 

** As early as 1645 tbceaftern part ©fthis Society was improved as 
a common field, and fundry legulations concerning it made by the tojva. 



25 






Uc worfliip at Culirord. After the fetilement at KJU 
hiigworth, they found it more convenient to attend at 
the latter p'ace.* In 1672 feme quefiions arofe, and 
committees were appointed, by the two towns, to 
confer on the fubjeft. Liberty was granted that the 
people on the ealt borders of the town might attend^ 
and afTift to fupport, public worfhip in Killingworih, 
until matters fhould be ripe for a new village, as it was 
then called. This privilege was afterwards relinquifli- 
ed, and thofe, who enjoyed it, united with others, in a 
petition to be made a new Society, and in the toil and 

Mr. Fenwick's conveyance of this traft, in the form of a lettcri bears 
date Oft. 22, 164.5. ^y ^^i* letter Mr. Whitfield fo far claimed thi» 
land, that he gave to the town a deed of it in 1650, having received 
land according to Mr. Fenwick's requeft. The land received l/y hira 
was» after his removai, fold to Maj. Thompfon; his heirs difpofed of 
it, before tlie Revolution. In 1646 the lame traft was farther iiTi- 
proved for the common benefit. In this f^ate it continued for feveral 
years. In 1650 the town encouraged a removal to it, by granting the 
ufc of a certain portion of char land to every fettler, for the term of five 
years. Whether any, on this condition^ removed is not afcertained. in 
1656) the upland was furveyed and allotted to iach planter in the town, 
according to his liji. This principle was adopted in all future divifions, 
and to render them equal, every member of a family was included ia 
the lift. In i663 the meadows, in the Eaft quarter, were afliaed, and, 
at different tinges, afterwards, divided. In 1675, it was agre<rd, by 
rhofe who lived on this land, that the homelots fliould be fenced troia 
the common field, each owner bearing his proportion of ex{>ence, and 
that thofe who built afterward, fliould fence their dwelling-lots at their 
own charge. This traft of land early claimed attention, as it was re- 
markably pleafant, fertile and eafy of tillage. A large field had bfca 
cleared by the natives. The marfh was very rich and extenfive. It ia. 
faid, that women ofcen n^alked to Guilford, ©n the Sabbath, attended 
public exercifef, and returned. Tradition is, that N. Bradley, Jsniea 

Hill, Luke Hill, Seward, T. Hand, E. Thompfon, were the firiK 

who came to this fpot. In 1672, it appears by a letter on record, thaj 
the following perfons were there ; E. Thompfon, N. Bradley, W'illiam 
Leet, JohnMeigs, John Scranton^ James Hill. What is now called The 
^tarter was laid out in the early periods of the town. N. Guilford 
was furveyed and divided in 1705. In 1752 the inhabitants in the 
Northeaflern part of the town were incorporated as an ecclefiaflical 
fociety, by the naaie of North-Briftol ; the principal part of whom be- 
longed formerly to this fociety. The Rev. Richard Ely was ordained 
over the church there eftablilhed June 1757. 

* In old records, Ke.nd'iMQrth ; Rev. joha Woodbridge was fettle«l 
therein \^'](i^* 



«4 

expenfe attending this ftaie. In i6g^,* it appears by 
a petition, that the number of families was "about 
thirty." A petition dated Augu(t i2ih 1700, figned 
by thirty-three perfons, addrelled to ihc town of Guil- 
ford, requefted liberty to become a di(lin6l Society, 
for the purpofe of public worfhip. This liberty had 
not been granted in May lyoi. Previous to May 
1703, it had been granted. This appears by peiition* 
and votes on the fubjed. 

The boundary between the town and eaft Society 
was not fixed at the time of thfe grant to become a 
Society. This was done at a town-ir.eeting in 1704, 
and ratified by the AfTembly as late as 1707, after the 
fettlement of a Paftor. This boundaryt was Neck- 
river. Our fathers, on obtaining the privilege, engag- 
ed with affiduity, in preparing to enjoy, a fettled mini- 
llry. A meeting-houfe was eretled in 1705.;]; It 
ftood near the prefent. The next year a houfe was 
built for the accommodation of a miniller. Whether 
more than one candidate was employed, or at what 
particular time he began to preach, is not to be fi^und. 
The winter of 170-,, Mr. John Hart rcfided and 
preached, in this vSocieiy. In June 1706, he was in- 
vited to fettle in the work of the minilhy. lie was 
ordained in November 170;^. Five of the neighbour- 
ing Elders were prefent, and folemnly confecrated him 
to the fervice of God, and his people. { A church 
vas alfo, at the fame time, gathered, coniifling of thir- 
teen male members. 

No w, my hearers, let us paufe for a moment. Hear 
now, no more, the liowling of wild bealts, which roam 

* * In i6go a bridge was built over HammonalTst-river. In 1714, 
the town direfted that ihere fliould he an ofieH highi^iaj to ihis bnd^e. 
+ This line was carried wellward in 1744-. 

% For fe'cral years after this houfe Was built, Watch viaskept, Ih 
fiine of public worfliipi 
§ R€\r. Thomas Buckingham, froth Saybrook, 

Jam»s I'ierpont, .. NeW-Haveh, 

Noadlah RulTel, .. Middletawn, 

^Jamuel Ruffsli .. Branford, 

M hoiiias Ruggles, .t Guiliotti. 



^^ 



25 



"t^e foreds. and the infernal yells of favage men. Sec 
the fplendors of the fun of righteoufnefs, burning from 
behind the clouds ! Hark, on the wings of the wind, 
a fweet, melodious found falutes my ear; it is the 
•glorious found of the Gofpel of Jefus Chrift. Trace 
our fathers from the land of opprefiion ; refleft upon 
the numbers v/ho have fallen by the way ; Trace them 
in their various vifits to the houfc of GOD, at a dil- 
tance ; and through every progrelTive ftep of their im- 
provement, until the prefcnt hour ! — How would their 
eyes flow with tears of joy, how would their heartvS 
burft forth in lively emotions of gratitude and praifc, 
to hear the trumpet of the gofpel found, in the midft of 
■their habitations !---What reflexions -fwell the foul, 
when contemplating the auguft and ravifhing fcenc; 
a wildcrnefs, made an habitation for our GOD, and 
the children of poor outcads from foreign lands, 
bro't to worfliip in his holy temple I— One thing ought 
never to be forgotten, the unv/earied zeal (hewn by 
our fathers, for the honor and worfliiip of GOD !--- 
Should you, my hearers, conftantly attend divine fervicc, 
were there no place of worfhip within eight miles ? 
Were the gofpel and its ordinances, now, for the firfl: 
lime, eftablifhed in this place, would not the people of 
GOD greatly rejoice ? 

The Rev. John Hart was born at Farmington, April 
X2, 1682. He received the honors of the infant Col- 
lege,* in Connetticut, in 1703, and was immediately 
appointed tutor. In this honorable and ufeful office, 
he continued three years, during which time he was 
Jicenfed to preach, and a confiderable part of which, 
he fpent in this Society. t In the evangelical work, 
to which his life was devoted, he was zealous and en-' 
gaged; "^ Jcrihe. well injiruBcd, to the kingdom ej hfaven. 
He is defcribed as " one endowed with a large treafure 
of natural abilities, quicknefs of invention, clearnefs of 

* Then at Kiilingwonli. He ha-.l partly completed his education 
at Cambridge. 

i Mis chih pjclwbiy rcfidcd with him, 

D 



26 

thought, loundnefs of judgment, and great (Irength of 
reafon.* His preaching was powerful, fweet and per- 
fuafive. The graces of the chriftian fhone, with com- 
TTianding majefty, in his life and converfation. It 
pleafed GOD to viCit him, for a courfe of years, with 
fore bodily infirmities : but in the dark and tcmpeftu- 
ous night, his faith, his patience, his refignation, his 
confidence in GOD, appeared with peculiar glory. --- 
Having ferved in his day and generation, according to 
ihe will of GOD, he was gathered unto his fathers, 
March 4? 1731 ; in the 24th year of his miniftry, and 
49th of his age.t 

The fermon occafioned by his death, preached by 
the Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey, of Durham, was pub- 
lifhed, at the expenfe of the fociety. — A folemn day of 
fafting and prayer was, alfo, kept, on account of his 
death, and for the purpofe of imploring divine direc- 
tion for the bereaved flock. 

While deftitute, the fociety not only received ad- 
vice from the neighboring clergy, and from the affo- 
ciation, but the Governor and Council addrelfed a let- 
ter to them, in confe(^uence of ihe unhappy divifions 
into which they had fallen. Several candidates were 
invited to fettle, but from various caufes, declined "^ 
—In May 1733, Mr. Jonathan Todd was invited to 
preach, which invitation was foon extended, to his 
preaching with a fpecial view to fettlement. Augufl; 
27, 1733, the fociety gave him a call to fettle, and on 
the 17th September he gave notice, that the invitation 
was accepted. Five Paftors,^ with meffengers, attend-, 
ed his folemn confecration, which was OQ.. 24, 1733- 
Thus the Lord returned, to his mourning people, in 
love, in about the fpace of two years and an half. 

* Mr. Chauncey 's fetoion on the death of Mr. Hart. 
+ He admitted to communion about eighty. 
X MefTr*. Abraham Todd, Thomas Weld, Job Parker. 
§ Rev. Jacob Hemingway, from Eaft-Havcn, 

Jared Elliott, KiUingvvorth, 

Jofeph Noyes, Nexv-Haven, peached the Ordin?^ 

tiamuel Ruffelf North'Guilford [tioQ Sermon, 

Ifaac Stiles, Morih-Haven, 



Soon after the refettlement of the m\niftry, the fo- 
ciety found that their numbers were fo inoreafed, that 
the houfe for public worfhip, was inconvenient. In 
1739, this houfe was ereQed, which, for that day, was 
commodious and handfome. A fernion was delivered, 
at its dedication, by ibe Rev. N. Chauncey, which was 
in May 1743. A fteeple* has fince been ere£ledvand, 
a bcllt purchafed. In 175©, and 1751, this fociety 
was vifited with an awful epidemic. The numbers 
fick, and neceflary attendants, were fo great as aimoft 
to fufpend the common purfuits of indtittry. Several 
heads of families, and forae of thefe, the moft worthy 
and refpeftable, were taken away. The unufual mor- 
tality which prevailed, may be feen from this fa8, that 
forty-three died, in the laft of thtfe years, when our 
prefent average bill, though our numbers are very con- 
fiderably increafed, is but eleven. I'his period was 
peculiarly afflitling to Mr. Todd. His friends and 
fupporters were fwept down around him, and he was 
called to aimoft inceffant labors, among the fick, and 
dying. 

The 19th of May 1782, was memorable to this fo- 
ciety. In a fkirmifh on the fealhore, a moft valuable 
citizen fell.+ 

At the lime of the fettlement of my immediate pre- 
d^ceflbr, the church confifted of fifty-one members. 
In the firft 24 years of his miniftry, he admitted to 
communion '234. On the fuppofuion that the 
fame number tvas admitted, in the lame term dur- 
ing his miniftry, they amounted to ^S^.^-—\x\ the 
year 177c, the number of baptifms was about thirty. 
This, perhaps, will not be too large an eftimate, for a 
medium. The number, therefore, baptized by him, 

* 1799. + 1801. 

\ Capt. Phinehas Meigs. The facrlfice of ihis family to nations! 
independence was great. Capt. Jehiel Meigs, who married his only 
daughter, died inthearmy, in Dec. 1776. He was an efteemed cid^ 
zen, and refpeftable ofSeer. 

5 Our church records have, unfbrrunately, been materially injured !>y 
fire. From fome firagmenu faved, I sra ;ibU£ to make (he ilatcitigut ^- 
feove. 



^'p.r, feventeen hundred and forty. At Icngtiij having; 
feoi one ^feneration pafs away, and anoiher rife up to 
fill their places,; ("nil ©f days and ripe for glory, he 
fell adeep, Feb. 24, 1791, in the 78th year of his age,, 
and 58th of his niiniflry.* 

The Rev. Jonathan Todd was born at New- Haven,. 
March 9, 1713. He graduated at Yale- College in 
1732. He entered at an early period of life into the 
field of minifterial labors. For ufefuinefs in tliis 
fphere, to which he was promoted by his inclination,, 
and called by the providence of GOD, the foundation 
was laid, while in his academic walks. Scientific pur- 
fuits were delightful and refrelhing to his a£live and 
inquiFitive mind. " lie was a diftinguifhed fcholar, 
and a judicious critic, in the three learned languages : 
had given conliderable attention to philofophy, and 
had thoroughly ftudied hillory, both ancient and mo- 
dern. "t The Hebrew was his peculiar favorite. Pof- 
lefled of an ardent thirft for knowledge, he was highly 
gratified in every acquifnion. " Through a long life 
devoted to (ludy, he acquired a rich treafure," and this 
" thiril for knowledge, united with an unbiaffed mind, 
led him to a fair examination of every fubjetl/'t But 
ihough his capacious mind was delighted to drink from 
every flowing (beam, yet his higheft pieafure was de- 
rived from thofe (Utdies, which had for their fpecial 
t)bjeti, divine glory and the falvation of immortal 
fouls. " Affiduous in his application to reading, and 
preparations for the fanftuary, making the facred oracles 
his guide, he fed iiis he-drers with knowledge a7idun'- 
derjlandnig.'"-]' His fermons were not adorned with 
the (tudied ornaments of language, or the flowers of 
rhetoric ; his ideas were not clothed with that tinfel', 
which glitters, hut docs not enlighten : neither did he 
fludy to embelliih his writings with "round" and har- 
monious " periods," or to fliine as a graceful orator. 

* A well adapted difcourfe was preached at his funeral, by the Rev, 
Amos Fowler. Rfv. J. Devotion (providentially prcfentj and Dr, 
Dana, preached ihe two labbaths Tucceeding his deaths 

+ Dr. Dana's iVl. 6. rcrmon. 



^^A 



2^ 



Tliey were, however, replete with fentiment, with ej?-*- 
hibitiorts of important truths, with forGible arguments^ 
folid reafoning aid much praBical inflruftion.— -— — 
CiiKisT J If s US, and hi?n crucified was the lumaivd fub- 
ftance of his preaching. 

To the rpiritual wants and peculiar circumftanees of 
his ilock, he paid particular attention. He knew ho\/ 
lo fpeak a word in iealon, and always fpread light about 
ihe paths of enquirers, when the great fubje^ls of the 
gofpel were- brought into view. " He had an happy 
talent, at Gonvcrfation."* " Sweet and pleafant has 
been the friendfliip between vou and your late pador, 
whofc inilniBive convcrfaiion has been your delight ;'" 
was the language of airelleemed friend, to the people 
of his charge, £»fier his. ideceafe. In times of uncom- 
mon ficknefe and hnorulity,; he devoted almofi the 
■whole of his time, t;o vifitingi and praying with the Tick 
and dying, and adniiniilering confolation to the afflift- 
ed. In this benevolent work did he engage, almoft 
beyond example, by day and by night. This fatherly 
kindnefs greatly endeared him to his flock. He was 
beloved as a good Shepherd, who in all " their afflic- 
tions was afflicted. "* To their fpiritual interefts was 
he faithful. , '• He could take them to record that he 
"^diS pure from, the blood of all men, not having fJiunntd 
to diclare the whole counfel of GOD."* On abltrufe and 
difficult queftions, '' a clear difcernment and found 
judgment made him an able counfeilor. He was fin- 
gularly mi|d and amiable in his difpofition, clothed 
with humility and phiinnefs."* As he entered early 
into the vineyard, fo it pleafed the Lord to continue 
him in it '• more than double the iifual term. In this 
long period his labors had fcarce any intermifTion, until 
the lail year of it. At his death, not one of the facred 
order, in this flate, had been of fo long (landing in it. 
Not one head of a family was then living, of all who 
were living at the time of his ordination. During his 
Tirinillry he buried about twice, his whole congrega- 
tion. The calmnefs and refignatioiT for which he:.was 
* Dx. Dana's M. S, fcrmon. 



^1 

dHtirtguifheti under all the afiliQions of life and of th& 
gofpel, were confpicuous in his moft painful vifitation, 
through the laft year of his life/'* Having uniformly 
and " eminently exemplified the fpirit of chriftianiiy, 
he clofed life," with ferenity, with peace, with hope, 
with joy. " Supported by the precious promifes of 
the gofpel, he received the meflage of dea^h," with 
Undifturbed compofurc. 

Previous to the death of this excellent man of 
GOD, the prefent fpeaker had been invited to fupply 
this pulpit. His firft fermon was preached in this defk. 
Aug. 23, 179I) the fociety proceeded to give him i 
call to fettle in the gofpel miniftry, and the 29th of the 
fame month, he accepted the propofals. November fe- 
cond he was ordained. t At this time the church con* 
lifted of 84 members. It now confifts of 1 10. In the 
ten years of my miniftry, 1 1 1 have died, 284 been bap- 
tized, and upwards of 270 have removed. The whole 
liumber of perfons, at prefent in the fociety, is 939, ift 
the whole town, 3597. X 

The Lord was with your fathers, when they traverf- 
cd the pathlefs ocean ; he led them by the way, and 
brought them to a goodly land. But their hardfliips 
and their dangers were great, before the wildernefs 
tould become a cultivated field, before they could ereQ: 
Comfortable habitations to dwell in, before they could 
fecure themfelves from the attacks of their favage io€s. 
You inherit the fruits of their laboris. You have fields, 
and orchards, and houfes, and, what is infinitely more 
important, yon have the Gofpel and its ordinances, 
you are furniftied with means of inftru(5tion,§ both in 
human and divine things. You alfo enjoy reft, and | 
peace, and fccurity. No murderoui favage lurks by ^ 
the way-fide, by day; no terrific warhoop difturbs 

* Dr. Dana's M. S. fermon. 

+ The ordination fermon was preached by the Rev. Achilles Manf- 
%t\d, and publiftied. 

^ Town 1629 i In the fociety are four convertient Sthool- 

N. G, 540 houfes, all built fmce my fcttlcment. A Library 
N. B. 489 is alfu eftabliiTicd, at prcfeat baadfonic, and in- 
creatinj^i 



3t ; 

your midni : '♦ flumbers. With your fathers it was nctt 
fo. 

JiE -.v'ho walketh in the midftof tl.t gidJei candle, 
flicks hail, renf: to generations paft, aid lo he prelent, 
one fon of Le /i, after another, to break t. bread of 
life. Although refrefhing fhowers have n«. d^fc, i- 
ed, in copious efiTufions, upoB this part of the /ineyard, 
yet have drop? fallen, here and there, and fcr,.e plants 
been caufed to flourilh. In every age, a number have, 
hopefully, drank from the ftream which flows from 
Horeb's rock, have fed on manna in the wildernefs, 
and, befide the flowing of Jordan, have lifted the eye 
of faith to the land of promife. Humble and faithful 
followers of the Lamb, we hope, have gone from this 
militant church, to unite with that which is triumphant* 
Under the regular and fiated miniftration of divine or- 
dinances, this church and fociety have, for a long time, 
enjoyed much order, tranquility, and union of fenti- 
mcnt. While we rejoice in thefe, and ufc every pro- 
per mean to preferve them, let me folemnly remind 
you, that fomething more than mere morality, than the 
inoft punctilious obfervance of external rites and cere- 
monies, is indifpenfibly neceffary to falvation : the re- 
generating and fanftifying influences of the holy 

SPIRIT. 

The fathers of this towns of this colony and of New- 
England, were a pious and godly race. They prized 
the word of GOD, they reverenced the holy fabbath, 
they taught their little ones to love, and obey, the 
great Creator, and trained them up in habits of order> 
of virtue, of undefiled religion. It is to be lamented 
that a relaxation of morals, highly alarming to the 
friends of religion, of Zion, has, fince their day, taken 
place. The gates of hell feem to be opened wide. 
Infidelity has affumed an appearance much more bold 
^nd brazen, than it dared, formerly, ad'ume, A vain 
philofophy, the corner-ftone of which is atheifm, and 
which hath for its object, the complete deftruftion of 
the gofpel fyftem, with all it^ bleiTmgs, its hopes, it$ 
}ySf has been broached in Europe, and fpread iis 



• uad;) !^ to thi.. v/eltern world. In ail jK^ in- 

Vii)u>eic • 'ods, v.hich ingenuity can dcvilc, ma- 
•^H > qppTO^"^ and vcngcnro rf^light tft'exectife, are 
ihe pie^'r-of^ Sr forefathers, and the reHgious habits of 
■their re '''ty, traduced, mifreprereritcd, Contemned 
M^'i^iJi: Jidown. Nothing, it fcetn?,, would fatisfy 
ih'i ».: 'er» "s of Chrifl, and his relihior, and friend^s ; 
but the I' ^>tting out oT his name f rem under heaven. 
How far^ tiow long, GOD will perfnit his fo^s to tri- 
umph, the wiles of fatan to enfnare, i.'?, to us, -unknown. 
He hath, infome meafure, lifted up hisftandard againft 
them, by the out-pourings of hi? fpirit, in various parts 
of our land. This fhould encourage GOD's people 
to hope and truft in Him. 

Be not beguiled, my hearers, by this falfe philofo- 
phy, to forfake the truth, as it is in Chrift. Dare to 
be, as your anceflors were, pious and religious. Scoffs 
and ridicule will uever deftroy the divine authenticity 
of the Bible. Revealed religion alone will aObrd true 
and folid confolation, in a dying hour. The phantoms 
of infidelity will then vanifli, the mill which obfcured 
the fight will be difperfcd, and naked truth appear, in 
all its glory, or in all its horror. Should the fcheme 
cf infidels prove true, it will land its votaries on the 
bleak fliores of annihilation ; if untrue, it will leave 
them to fink down into unquenchable fkmcs. Is this 
the boafted age of reafcn, and does this reafon appear, 
in difcarding the holy fcriprures, in rejeQing and 
mocking the Lord that bought us, in dcfpifing the fab- 
bath and the inflitutions of the golpel, in trampling 
morality under feet, in counting every thing ferious 
and religious, a mere farce, a piece of craft and de- 
ceit ? As you would avoid eternal death, cleave to 
the gofpcl of the Redeemer. 

Your fathers, when incorporated as an ecclcfiaftical 
fociety, an hundred years ago, were few in number; 
but you have become, comparatively , a great people.--- 
We have alfo, the laft year,' entered upon a new cen- 
tury in the chriftian a^ra ; the end of which, few, if any 
©i'us, will live to fee. As llie events of the lait were 



momentous and highly interefting, f: , probably, will 
be thofe ®f the- prefent. A convulfed \ r!d is exhibit- 
ing awful evidence of human deprav. Garments 
rolled in blood are ftill to be feen, anc' iC nations to 
be gathered to the great day of the bat e.j^^GOD Al- 
mighty. Thunderings, and lightnings, .avif,'^t, ..;'ih. 
quakes, are to be heard, and feen, and fe"^, i. ,,.-l< era 
places. Amidftthefe mighty revolutions, ^tfe amaz- 
ing conflifts, thefe flupendous fcenes, which involve 
the liberties, the profperity, the very exiflence of na- 
tions ; tTiere is one event which comes nearer ftill to 
every individual, that of death. In the day of tri- 
al, put your truft in the Lord of Hofls, and remember, 
that, although, you may be called to endure much in 
tlie caufe of the Redeemer, your fufferings will be in- 
finitely repaid, by the " exceeding and eternal ueight of 
glory:' 

In the review of the period of my miniftry, let me 
afli myfelf the queftion, '• Have I been faithful to my 
Divine Lord, and the fouls of my people ?" Say, O 
my foul, in the prefence of my GOD, have I fet before 
my flock, the bleffing and the curfe, life and death ? 
Have I befought, and charged, and commanded them, 

to obey and love the Lord ? You will refleO, my 

hearers, that ten years is a laige portion of human life. 
It becometh us to adore GOD for the difplay of his 
goodnefs, in preferving our lives through another year, 
I congratulate you on the return of this joyful anni- 
verfary. May this year be a year of health, of prof- 
perity, of joy, to you, and to yours ! As you behold 
its beginning, fo may you behold its conclufion ! Or 
if fummoned from time, be ripened for endiefs glory ! 
May it, in fpecial, be a year, in which the Lord fhall 
gracioufly remember, and build up tliis part of Zion, 
increafe the prefent earnells of his holy Spirit, and 
caufe the dews of grace abundantly to diftil ! 

When you enter the confines of this year, my hear- 
ers, make a foleran paufe. Rcmeraber that for another 
year's probation you mull give an account. My duty 
demands that I enquire of vou with earneftneff, in wlur 

k 



84 

manner you have improved the paO:, and what your 
rcfolutioiis are, with refpeB; to the future. I come to 
you, this day, with a moil ihterefting meflage. Should 
an apollle arife from the dead, or an angel defcend 
from heaven, nay, did the Redeemer himfelf (land in 
this holv place, as he once flood in the temple at Jeru- 
fdlcm, he could challenge your attention by no fubjeft, 
more interefting, than that, to which I invite you, the 
wile improvement of time and preparation for eternity, 
"^'ou have not yet been called to explore that diltant 
and unknown region, but divine preicience alone can 
tell how foon the awful fummons of death will be ii- 
fued. Many who entered the year paft, with as faii- 
guine hopes of future life, as you enter the prefent, 
have been configned lo the grave. Death hath (pared 
neither the fmiling infant, the blooming virgin, or the 
hoary head. You have feen, that fome of your num- 
ber have gone, fince the laft new-year, into the world 
of fpirits. At that time, they beheld ihe light of the 
fun, and dwelt on the earthy as you now do ; but they 
have been arrefted by the great deftroyer, and the light 
of the fun, as to them, isextinguilhed forever. By the 
revolution of another year, you may be laid in the duftj 
in that lonely manfion, where all is darknefs. — Heark- 
en, then, my fellow-wiortals ! What if, this year, nay, 
this night, you Ihould be called to the bar of GODj 
are you prepared to give your account ? Had you 
been called away the year paft, what would have been 
your prefent fituation ? In the world of glory, or the 
regions of torment ? You are not already funk down 
in hopelefs defpair ; but have you any fecurity that 
this will not be the cafe ? No. For I afTure you, up- 
on the word of GOD, that it will be, when you are 
called frojn the world, uniefs you, m time, repent of 
iin, and fly unto Chrift.— -Tremendous thought, that 
of being forever loft ! But tremendous as it is, I am 
bound to utter it, and give you folemn warning of 
impending danger f--Do you intend ever to repent 
and prepare for eternity ? Could you. afk one of the 
damr,ed fpirits in the world of defpair, he would dc- 



dare, that he intended to have repented, and made his 
peace with GOD, in this (late of probation. And why^ 
did he not? He negle6ied the all important concern, 
until death cut him oflF, and his day of grace was pad, 
—Alas ! my hearers, take warning. If you intend 
ever to repent, now is the time. Death may fvveep you 
from the earth, and you may be made to repent, when 
repentance will only add fuel to the flame. Thanks 
to GOD, your cafe is not hopelefs, you need not def- 
pair. The Lamb, who was (lain, bled for tiie falvation 
of finne^s. O fly to him, before this year, rhis day, 
this houi this moment, is gone. When the folemn 
hour of leaih arrives, an end is brought to all labor, 
to all pv^r. ration. The fun of human life is haltening 
to go dow:., vou will foon, very foon, launch into the 
boundiefs ocean of eternity. O prepare to die in tlie 
Lord. Prepare to meet thy GGD, Ifrael. When the 
frame of nature is ready to be diffolved, how precious 
will a dying, bleeding Savior appear ! Were I to 
point you toanobjeO; completely wretched, it fliould 
be an impenitent (inner on the bed of^ death. On the 
page of futurity we are not permitted to read, but 
perhaps, before the return of another new-year's fab- 
bath, thefe lips may be clofed in li'ence, or you may 
be removed beyond the found of my voice. Should 
the fpeaker be continued, the conclufion is rational, 
that fome of thofe who hear, will not be prefent. To 
fuch I m-^y be confidered as giving my laft charge on 

this anniverfary. Record it, then, in your hearts ; 

carry it with you to your dying hour, and let each one 
bring home the fubjeft to himfelf-'-GOD grant, that 
the teftimony of this difcourfe be not ggainft yowi in 
the day of Judgment ! 



Died. 


AgeL 


Feb. 19, 1718 


48 


Feb. 14, 1753 


76 


Dec. 17, 1745 


66 


Sept. 14, 1751 


38* 


Dec. 26, 1774 


74 


July 17, 1763 


74 


Feb. 7, 1781 


59 


Feb. 1O5 1797 


77 



APPENDIX. 



T/ig following perfons have held the ojice of Deacon^ w 
this Church. 

John meigs, 

Benjamin Stone, 
John French, 
Timothy Meigs, 
Jofiah MeigSj 
John Grave, 
Timothy Hill, 
Thomas Stone, 
Benjamin Hartp 
Levi Ward, 
Timothy Hill. 

The following perfons have been Jufiices of the Peace^ in 
this Society, 

Died. jfged. 

Janna Meigs, June 5, 1739 67 

Benjamin Handy^ Aug. jo, 1744 72 

Thomas Hodgkin^ April 24, 1 754 77 

John Grave 
Jofiah Meigs, 

Timothy Todd, Jan. 3,1779 56 

Timothy Hillj 
Elias Grave, 
Jonathan Todd, 
Daniel Handjjun, 

* He had received a liberal education 1 was graduated in i-Jta : 
*^ a man in whom we kad great and high hopes," ' 

Mr, TiM's Sermx^ 



The following perjons have commanded the Military Com- 
ipanyy in this Society » 

Nathaniel Stevens "Ir- , f 1704 

Stephen Bifhop J * I 1709 

Stephen Bifhop (Captain) 1714 

Janna Meigs — 1716 

John Scranton — ^IZ^ 

Thomas Hodgkin — i737 

Nathaniel Stevens — 1741 

Jofiah Meigs -- ^747 

Jehiel Meigs — *754 

Timothy Hill .- 1762 

Daniel Hand - ^773 

Elias Grave* — ^772 

Gilbert Dudley -- 1778 

James Munger* — 1780 

Timothy Field — 1782 

Jonathan Todd — 1780 

Jofiah Monger — ^79^ 

Benjamin B. Willcox -- 1797 



€J the 111 perfons who have died during my Minijlry^ 

5 between 40 and 50 

6 30 40 
9 20 30 



under 20 42 

under 35 ^s 



4. was 99 

1 97 
i6 between 80 and 90 

14 70 80 

12 60 70 

5 50 ^o 

From this ftatement the degree of health and lon- 
gevity enjoyed by the people in this place, compared 
■with that of mankind in general, may be learnt. Ac- 
cording to the common eftimate, in populous cities, 
one half die under u years of age ; in the world in 
general, one half under 17 : in this country, one half 
Hnder 20 : whereas according to this bill of mortality 

* Alarm Lift, 



3477-79 
70 



^/ 



for ten years paft-, half the number have lived to the 
age of 35. Atone time there was no death, in this 
fociety, for twelve months, wanting ten days. The 
greateft number of deaths in anyone year was 18. 
Life in New-England, is at leaft one third longer than 
in the world in general. The annual bill of mortality, 
for the ftate of Connefticut, upon the beft calculatiori 
that can be made, is between four and five thoufand. 

The earlielt date in our eaftern burying ground is 
1682. The firft perfon buried in ihe weft grave-yard 
was Samuel Frenchj fonof John Frenchj born in 1682, 
and died 1688. 



j^w 






*# 






V .*J.VL'* <^ 



